And the guardrail doesn’t meet state specifications, according Andrea Clifford, spokesperson for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet.

Judge-Executive David Voegele said at last week’s fiscal court meeting he made an executive decision to install the guardrail because the section of Ky. 393 near the John Black Community Center is known as dangerous.

Voegele said county officials have asked the state for years to post guardrail, including this year, but the state hasn’t made it a priority. However, Ky. 393 is not a county roadway, and Greenwell opposes funding state road repairs with county money.

“I don’t think we can cure all the ills the state has,” Greenwell said. “I’m afraid if we set a precedent of starting to take over what the state will pay for, we’ll be saddled with many more projects in the future.”

Greenwell chairs the roads committee and said the guardrail installment was not brought before the committee.

Voegele said he understands Greenwell’s point, but believes safety concerns are more important than if it is a county or state road.

At least one serious accident has occurred as a car came around the curve and slid off the embankment.

“As a rule of thumb, 95 percent (of the time) I’m not for spending money to do the state’s job,” he said.

District 5 Magistrate JD Sparks asked for clarification about when it is appropriate for the judge-executive to make an executive decision.

Sparks said he understands Voegele needs to make decisions in emergency situations.